Why a Mobile CRM is a Necessity, Not a Luxury

How often do you purposely leave your mobile phone behind when you leave your home or office? Rarely I bet.

Sales professionals travel, meet with clients, attend events, and work remotely some or all of the time. They use multiple devices like cell phones and tablets to stay connected and conduct business when they’re not in the office.

That’s why access to customer data from anywhere on any device is no longer a “nice to have” feature your CRM application may or may not provide. It’s a necessity.

THE BENEFITS OF A MOBILE CRM

You wouldn’t deny your sales team access to the valuable information stored in your CRM system. But if users can’t access the data they need unless they’re at their desk, that’s what you’re doing. So how does a mobile CRM strategy support your sales efforts and add value for your organization?

INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY

Being able to access your CRM via smartphone or tablet makes your sales staff much more efficient. Travel time or downtime between appointments can be used to enter data, review notes, or send a follow up.

INCREASES SALES

Having the right information available at the right time can mean the difference between closing or losing the sale. Research by Innoppl Technologies found that 65 percent of companies with a mobile CRM achieved their sales quotas, while only 22 percent of companies without a mobile CRM were able to reach theirs.

IMPROVES DATA QUALITY

If your field reps must wait until they get back to the office to input new contacts or enter their meeting notes, there’s a good chance it won’t get done in a timely manner and it might not get done at all. So, you won’t be capturing important data at key points in your sales cycle. A CRM system available on a mobile device allows for near real-time data entry. Sales reps have all their information available when they need it while sales managers have complete data to review.

ALLOWS YOU TO CHOOSE ANY DEVICE

Today’s sales professional is equipped with a computer and a smartphone at a bare minimum. He or she may also have a tablet, an additional phone, and one or more additional computers. A CRM application designed to accommodate multiple devices, operating systems, and screen sizes allows and eliminates the need to make sure everyone is using the same hardware and software. Users can bring their own device and stick with the hardware and software they prefer.

INCREASES CRM ADOPTION RATE

One of the biggest challenges with any CRM implementation is getting your team to use the system. If users can only access your CRM app during certain hours and from one location, they’re less likely to use the system or see its value. Availability on multiple devices reduces friction for users and increases your adoption rate.

We live in an increasingly mobile world. We don’t leave our homes or offices without our phones. Our laptops and tablets are quickly becoming like our wallets and keys: must always carry. A CRM system that goes anywhere and works on any device makes for a more effective and more successful sales team.